SKETCHES OF JEWISH BRAVERY, 
LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM 

N THE 

South American Colonies and 
rHE West Indies. 



by 
3EORGE ALEXANDER KOHUT, 
MEW YORK CITY. 



Reprinted from 

'THE AMERICAN JEW, 

AS 

Patriot, Soldier and Citizen." 



By Hon. Simon Wolf. 

Edited by Louis Edward Levy* 



PHILADELPHIA. 

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NE, WHOSE NOBLE VIRTUES AND GENTLE, 
WINNING MANNERS, NO LESS THAN HIS 
TENDER, LOYAL FRIENDSHIP, ENDEAR HIM 
TO ALL WHO KNOW HIM, AND TO WHOM 
THE WRITER OF THESE PAGES OWES A 
LOVE AND GRATITUTE, WHICH CAN NEVER 
BE EXPRESSED, BUT MUST EVER BE 
"POETICALLY IDEALIZED," THIS MODEST 
PAMPHLET IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED, 
AS A MEAGRE, BUT SINCERE TOKEN OF AN 
ESTEEM THAT WILL NEVER LESSEN, AND 
A DEVOTION THAT WILL NEVER. FAIL; 

BY 



G. A. K. 



NEW YORK, AUGUST i, 1895. 



Reprinted from " The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen" by HON. 
SIMON WOLF, Pages MS-HSU. 



SKETCHES OF JEWISH LOYALTY, BRAVERY AND 

PATRIOTISM IN THE SOUTH AMERICAN 

COLONIES AND THE WEST INDIES. 



By George Alexander Kohut, New York City. 



Services Rendered to the Dutch by the Jews of Brazil 

(1623-44). 

In 1624, when the Dutch conquered Brazil, several Jews, de- 
sirous of joining their co-believers in the newly acquired Dutch 
dominions, where our brethren flourished for many decades 
previously in the guise of New Christians or Marranos, enlisted 
in the Hollandish fleet as volunteers. Encouraged by this show 
of patriotism on the part of their newly arrived co-religionists, 
who, under the reign of the United Provinces, enjoyed all the 
blessings of peace and equality, many Nuevos Christianos 
openly renounced their sham faith and re-avowed Judaism, 
happy once more to breathe the air of freedom without suffer- 
ing persecution. It is said that the Jewish soldiers in the navy 
displayed so much zeal and courage in the taking possession of 
Brazil that the government protected them ever after. 1 Even 

1 See H. J. Koenen's prize essay, Geschiedenis der Joden in Neder- 
land (Utrecht, 1843), pp. 277-78: "Machtig breide zich deze bevolking 
uit als de Nederlanders omstreeks het jaar 1624 Brazilie veroverden. 
Op de Hollandsche vloot hadden verseheiden Joden vrijwillig dienst 
genomen, om zich in het te vermeesteren gewest met hunne geloofs- 
genooten te vereenigen. Deze ontmoeting, en de voor hen aanlichtende 
vrijheid onder Hollandsche Bestuur, maakten, dat vele Braziliaansche 
Nieuwe Christenen wederom opentlyk het Jodendom beleden; en dat 
zij eerlang eene tweede volkplanting hunner geloofsgenooten te Cayen- 
ne stichteden, waar David Nassi, een geboren Braziliaan, zich met 
goedkeuring der West-Indische Compagnie nederzette. Inmiddels 
hadden de Joden, die met 's lands vloot in 1624 naar Brazilie overgesto- 
ken waren en de Nederlanders dat land hadden helpen vermeesteren, 
aan hunne te Amsterdam woonachtige broederen geschreven, en hen 
uitgenoodigd om zich in het nieuw veroverde gewest op den pas 
ontgonnen koophandel te komen toeleggen ; waartoe eene mime 



before putting to sea, remarks a French historian of Brazil, 2 the 
Dutch admirals obtained much useful information concerning 
the political situation of Brazil, from the Israelites there settled, 
and who were all eager to remain, or rather, to pass over to the 
Dutch, whose liberal spirit and religious tolerance seemed much 
more inviting to them than the cruel sceptre of Spain or Portu- 
gal. This is furthermore corroborated by another (English) 
writer, Mr. Robert G. Watson, in his excellent work: Spanish 
and Portuguese South America during the Colonial Period 
(London, 1884), Vol. II, p. 1, where we read : " The religious 
intolerance from which the Dutch had themselves so terribly- 
suffered at the hands of their Spanish rulers had taught them 
to be tolerant in such matters towards others, and to this 
ciraimstance they were now (1623-24) indebted for much valuable 
information respecti?ig Brazil, which they received from the Jews 
who had takeyi refuge amongst them." 

It is apparent from these and other items to be mentioned 
later that the Jews rendered not only military and naval service 
to the Dutch in their struggle against Portugal in Brazil, but 

gelegendheid was, sedert de Hollanders, na net sluiten van eenen 
wapenstilstand met de Portugezen, eene publicatie hadden afgekon- 
digd, dat net den Joden voortan volkomen zoude vrijstaan, zich in 
Brazilie te vestigen, etc." 

We have copied this in full, as Koenen, whom recent historians all 
follow, is the only authentic source, although in this case no authori- 
ties are given. This point, and others in connection with the early 
Jewish settlements in Brazil were discussed by the present writer 
in two papers: Early Jewish Literature in America, in Publications 
of the American Jewish Historical Society {=P. A. J. H. &'.), No. 3 
(1895), pp. 103-47 (cf. esp. pp. 104, 105, 134-40) and Jewish Martyrs of 
the Inquisition in South America, to appear simultaneously with this 
volume, in the same place, No. 4. 

2 See Pieter Marinus Netscher's Les Hollandais au Bresil, Notice 
Historique sur les Pays-Bas et le BrSsil au XVII e siede (La Haye, 
1853), p. 14: " Avant demettre en mer (1623?), les amiraux Hollandais 
obtinrent sur la situation politique du Bresil les informations les plus 
utiles par V intermediate des Juifs qui s'y etaient 6tablis, et qui 
presque tous, desiraient avec ardeur passer sous le gouvernement des 
Provinces-Unies, a cause de sa tolerance en matiere de religion." 
Cf. also De Beauchamp's Histoire du Bresil, vol. II, p. 159 ; Southey's 
History of Brazil (2nd ed.) I, pp. 477, 479, 495, supplem. note 135 ; vol. 
II, p. 241 ; Judge Daly's Settlement of the Jews in North America 
(2nd ed. New York, 1893) p. XVII. 



diplomatic counsel of no little weight, by means of which Hol- 
land could conquer the American possessions and establish her- 
self most firmly there. The inhabitants of Brazil at about that 
time (1623-38) were not very yielding. In fact R. Southey, the 
reliable and painstaking historian, says 3 that ' ' The Portuguese 
were held in subjection only by fear, but many Portuguese 
Jews from Holland had taken their abode in a country where 
they could speak their own language as well as enjoy their own 
religion. These were excellent subjects; they exercised the 
charitable industry of their original nation secure of enjoying 
its fruits under a free government." The Dutch, upon taking 
possession of Brazil, issued a proclamation, no doubt with a 
view of attracting the Jews, whose accession would prove 
beneficial to the interests of the government, whereby they 
offered full possession of their property, and freedom of worship 
to all such as would submit. Amongst those who were thus 
brought under Dutch rule were two hundred Jezvs. (cf. 
Watson, /. c, II, p. 2.) This liberal charter of religious 
freedom lasted as long as the Dutch supremacy until the Portu- 
guese re-conquest of Brazil in 1654, with more or less privileges, 
according to the whim of the public whose dictates even the 
government had to obey, as we may see from what took place 
in 1638, as recorded by Southey (/. c, Vol. I, p. 566): " Some 
of the Portuguese -Brazilians also, gladly throwing off the mask 
which they had so long been compelled to wear, joined their 
brethren in the synagogue. The open joy with which they 
now celebrated their ceremonies attracted too much notice; it 
excited horror in Catholics, and even the Dutch themselves, less 
liberal than their laws, pretended that the toleration of Holland 
did not extend to Brazil; the senate conceded to, and perhaps 
partook of the popular feeling, and hence arose the edict , by which 
the Jews were ordered to perform their rites more in private." 4 
Under Count Maurice's gentle reign our coreligionists lived 
in peace and they appear to have benefited by this temporary 
respite and acquired much wealth, for we find on record a 

3 History of Brazil (London, 1810), Vol. I, p. 566; cf. also the 
quotation in R. G. Watson's Spanish and Portuguese South America, 
etc., op. oit., Vol. II, p. 29. 

4 See also Netscher's Les Holla,ndais au Br esil, etc., (La Hay e, 
1853), p. 94: " Les synagogues furent fermees, et les Juifs durent se 



petition from the Jews of Mauritsstad, dated May i, 1642, 
offering an annual present of 3000 florins to Count Maurice if 
he would be induced to remain as their Governor in Brazil. 5 In 
1642, at the urgent invitation of their coreligionists (cf. Koenen, 
/. c. , p. 278), 600 Jews, headed by Moses Raphael de Aguilar 
and Ishac Aboab de Fonseca, came from Amsterdam 6 and 
formed a prosperous colony in Recife, which gave promise of 
glorious development, had not the wars between Holland and 
Portugal, in which our brethren took noble part, destroyed 
their hopes. In 1642, it must be noted, they again were per- 
mitted to worship publicly, a privilege which did not remain 
unrewarded, for we soon hear of certain state services rendered 
by the Jews in 1644 and later, when many mean conspiracies 
against the government were afoot, concocted, no doubt by the 
Portuguese under Dutch rule. Watson (Spanish and Portu- 
guese South America, etc., L,ondon, 1884, Vol, II, p. 47) says: 
' ' At length, however, the time came when his (the chief con- 
spirator's, Fernandes) practices could no longer be ignored by 
the government, who were set on their guard chiefly by the Jews. 
These are certainly not to be blamed for wishing a continu- 
ance of the status quo; since, in the event of an outbreak, they 
were certain to be plundered by both parties with complete im- 
partiality; whilst, in the event of a victory on the part of the 
Portuguese, they had before them the image of the fiendish 
agents of the Inquisition, ' ' which, as we have elsewhere shown, 7 

borner a c616brer leur culte dans 1' int6rieur des maisons. Le mal 
fut d' autant plus sensible qu' un grand nombre de eomniercants 
respectables et d'autres habitants du Bresil-Hollandais 6taient des 
Juifs, qui depuis nombre d'annees s'6taient rgfugies au Recife on qui 
recemment y avaient et6 attires par la tolerance du comte Maurice." 
Cf. also ibid., pp. 128, 202, note 82 ; and Judge Daly's work, op. cit., 
p. 6. On the subject of religious freedom enjoyed by Jews in Brazil, 
more at another time. 

5 Cf. Netscher's work, op. cit., p. 127. The document is preserved 
in Le rapport detaille de Tolner, contresigng par le Comte, avec tous 
les appendices, se trouve aux Arch, du Hoy., Liasse Ind. Occ, 1641- 
1644. The contents of this letter will be communicated elsewhere. 

6 See Dr. M. Kayserling's article in P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, (1895), 
p. 14 sq. Geo. A. Kohut, ibid., pp. 103, 105, 137 sq. 

7 Proofs for these statements may be found in my study on The 
Jewish Martyrs of the Inquisition in South America, P. A. J. H. S., 
No. 4, (1895.) 



they had good reason to fear. We read later (/. c. , p. 48) that 
Fernandes could not be captured and summoned troops. Many 
obeyed the call and fell upon such Dutchmen and Jews as 
happened to be within their reach. 

The loyalty of the Jews in the matter of revealing the vari- 
ous state conspiracies is thus alluded to by Pieter Marinus 
Netscher in his admirable work Les Hollandais au Bresil, (L,a 
Haye 1853), p. 145: "Fortunately, national and religious 
fanaticism did not smother the sentiments of humanity and 
justice in the hearts of all the conspirators. Two Portuguese 
[Jews?] Sebastian Carvalho and Fernando Vale, with. Jive Jews, 
fearing that their lives and fortunes were at stake, resolved to 
disclose the secret of the plot to the Grand Council. 8 Another 
conspiracy was brought to light and denounced to the govern- 
ment by a Jew named Moise Accoignes, who, against his will, 
was forced to become an accessory to the plot. 9 He is no doubt 
alluded to by Prof. H. Graetz, who, in his History of the Jews 
(English version, Philadelphia, 1895, Vol. IV, p. 693. Jewish 
Publication Society of America) writes: "Of course, the 
Brazilian Jews enjoyed perfect equality of rights with other 
citizens, for they rendered the Dutch essential services as advisers 
and warriors. When the native Portuguese, who bore the 
yoke of the Dutch impatiently, formed a conspiracy to get rid 
of the Dutch authorities at a banquet in the capital, and attack 
the colony bereft of government [?], a few gave warning, and 

8 We give the text in full: " Heureusement le fanatisme national 
et religieux n'avait pas etouffe' les sentiments d'huinanite" et de loy- 
aute" dans les coeurs de tous les conjures. Deux Portugais, Sebastian 
Carvalho et Fernando Vale, avec cinq Juifs, craignant d'ailleurs aussi 
pour leurs jours et leur fortune, se d6ciderent en commun a reveler le 
secret de la conspiration au grand conseil." 

9 Cf. Montanus Arnoldus, De nieuwe en onbekende wereld of 
beschrijving van Amerika en't Zuidland, Amsterdam, 1671, fol. 81; 
Netscher, I. c, p. 144, says: " Un Juif, Moise Accoignes, qu'onavait 
forc6 a prendre part a cette conspiration le denonca au grand 
conseil." N. G. van Kampen, in his Geschichte der Niederlande, vol. 
II, p. 118 and Frankel in Monatsschrift, vol. XII (1863) p. 323-324, 
record, that the ringleader in this conspiracy was Joan Fernandes 
Vinira (?), who intended to poison the government officials at a din- 
ner given at his own home, and the plot would have succeeded had 
not a Jew raised the alarm. 



10 

saved the colony from certain destruction." Southey, whom at 
the present writing we are unable to consult, (cf . his History 
of Brazil, Vol. II, pp. 60-70), and Koenen, also chronicle the 
the timely intervention of a faithful Israelite, 10 who, at the risk 
of his life, for the conspirators would not have scrupled to put 
him out of the way, informed the authorities of the impending 
calamity to the state. 

We also know that a Jew in Lisbon proved instrumental in in- 
tercepting some official papers in reference to the revolt in Brazil. 11 

The execution of one, Jacob Rabbi, an agent of Holland, 
who must have been a Jew, is mentioned by Netscher in 
the following terms: " The cause of this deser- 
tion [from the Portuguese troops ?] was that the Lieutenant - 
Colonel, Garstman, had been sufficiently impolitic to put to 
death (in 1645 or 1646 ?) for a real or supposed crime, a certain 
Jacob Rabbi, German by birth, of a ferocious character. He 
had lived for many years among the savages as agent of the 
Hollandish government. ' ' 12 

It is evident that the Dutch Government and especially the 
Governor, Count Maurice de Nassau, was riot backward in 
appreciating the services of the Jews. An ordinance from the 
States-General reads: 

. The persons, goods and rights of the Jews in 
Brazil are taken under the special protection of the Govern- 

10 Cf. Geschiedenis der Joden, p 279: De terugroeping van Johan 
Maurits, wiens edele afkomst en schitterende eigensehappe zelfs den 
Portugezen eerbied inboezemden, en wiens ongelookige opvolgers, 
meestal kooplieden (merchants) , leden de Westindische Maatschap- 
pij, door hunne bekrompenheid, hebzucht en onmenschehjkheid 
algemeenen afkeerverwekten, deed onder de Portugesche ingezetenen 
een sluw beraamde zamenzwering tegen de Hollanders onstaan, die 
op het punt was van te gelukken, toen een Joodsche geneesheer haar 
door het schrijven van een naamloozen brief aan den dag bracht," etc. 

11 Netscher, I. c. p. 153. : " Mais on parviut enfin en 

Hollande, a se procurer, par un Juif qui demeurait h Lisbonne, le 
moyen d'intercepter quelques lettres du roi, qui prouverent au sou- 
levernent dans le Bresil." (Ces lettres se trouvent anx Arch du Roy., 
Liasse Ind. Occ. 1647 et 1648.) 

u Cf. ibid, I. c, p. 154 ; See also Lettre de Justif. de Garstman aux 
Etats-generaux en date du 27 Septembre, I646. Arch, du Roy., Liasse 
Ind. Occ. 1645 et 1646. 



11 



ment, because of the fidelity and courage which that nation had 
on every occasion displayed toward the said Government. ' ' l3 



II. 

Beavb Defense of the Jews in Brazil in 1645-1646. 

The best evidence of Jewish loyalty to their lenient Dutch 

rulers was given at a time when the Hollandish Government 

was contending with the Portuguese for the possession of 

Brazil. The numerous conspiracies years previous were only 

a foretaste of what followed and when at last, in the year 1645, 

war actually broke out, our co-religionists lost no time in 

siding with their generous patrons, regardless of consequences. 

Among those that distinguished themselves for their noble 

patriotism and whose co-operation in behalf of the needy and 

distressed won all hearts, was a wealthy Israelite, Abraham 

Coen by name, whose fame is recognized in the following 

verses written in his honor by one of the greatest Portuguese 

Jewish poets of Holland, Don Miguel Levi de Barrios, who 

visited Cayenne 14 in 1660 and remained there until 1662 : 

Abraham Coen en el Brasil remoto 
del principe Mauricio hallo el agrado 
prospero y noble, y oy del Rey Empireo 
goco la luz en ideal palacio. 
Cereo al Brasil el luso balicoso 
en nueve anos continuos, que empeqaron 
en el de mil seiscientos y quarenta 
y cinco, contra el valeroso Holandio. 

Y en todos con magnanima grandeza 

el grande Abraham Coen sustento k quantos 

Judios y Cristianos de su auxilio 

en la miseria atroz necesitaron. 

Entonces los Senoras del Supremo 
Consejo sobre el Pueblo Brasiliano 
vieron del ftel Coen la piedad grande. 15 

13 Cf. Dr. A. Blahn, in American Jews 1 Annual for 1886-1887, 
p. 35; see also Isaac de Costa, Israel und die Voelker (Frankfort o. 
M., 1855), p. 319 ; and Dr. Z. Frankel, in his Monatsschrift, vol. XII, 
(1863), p. 323. 

14 Cf. Kayserling's Sephardim, Romanische Poesien der Juden 
in Spanien (Leipzig 1859) p. 266; P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, p. 18. 

15 P. A. J. H. S., I. c, p. 15, note. Jacob Coen, Abraham's eldest 
son, was afterwards appointed "Contador Mayor, " Receiver — General 
of Duke Moritz of Nassau. Cf. ib. I. c. 



12 

Dr. Hahn informs us that " in the perilous times of 1645 and 
1648 great services were rendered to the government by the 
Portuguese family of Cohen in furnishing ammunition and pro- 
visions. " 16 

The Portuguese besieged Recife, near Pernambuco, which 
boasted of a large Jewish population (among them several fine 
scholars: David Senior Coronel, Dr. Abraham de Mercado, 
Jahacob Mucate, Ishac Castanho and others) 17 and the inhabit- 
ants thus deprived of every possible communication, endured 
much suffering. The Jews, encouraged by their learned and 
eloquent Rabbi Isaac Aboab, the friend of Menasse ben Israel, 
bore their tribulations bravely, and though almost famished for 
want of nourishment, defended the fort with such remarkable 
skill and heroism , as to evoke the praise and gratitude of the 
Government. Had it not been for the dauntless resistance 
offered by them, the garrison would have been compelled 
to surrender. 

Aboab commemorated his thrilling experiences of war in 
the introductory chapter of his Hebrew version of Abraham 
Cohen Herrera's Porta Coeli (Sha'ar Ha'shamayim) which 
he began to translate in June, 1655 (22nd of Siwan 5415). 
Besides this, he wrote nine years before (anno 1646) a poetical' 
account of the siege in a work entitled Seeker Pab; n Prayers 
and Confessions and Supplications, which were composed for 
appealing to God in his trouble and in the distress of the Con- 
gregation, when the troops of Portugal overwhelmed them during 
their sojourn in Brazil in the year §406 \_1646']. And I have 
cazised the wonderful works of God to be remembered in songs 
and praises, when he released them from the ha?tds of their 
enemies. It is written in Hebrew. The Ms. is still extant in 
Amsterdam, in possession of the "Arbol de las Vidas" Theo- 

16 Cf. American Jews' Annual for 1886-1887, p. 35; Isaac de Costa, 
I. c, p. 318; see also Hon. Oscar S. Straus's address in P. A. J. H. S., 
No.3, p. 3. 

17 See Kayserling in P. A. J. H. S., 1. c, p. 14 ; Graetz, History 
of the Jews (Engl, transl.) vol. IV, p. 693. 

18 See full particulars concerning this work in our study on Early 
Jewish Literature in America, P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, pp. 105, 106 
139, No. 9, and Dr. Kay selling's paper, ibid. I. c, p. 16. 



13 

logical Society. 19 The part played by the Jews in the defense 
of the colony is described by eminent Jewish and Christian 
historians. 20 Dr. Kayserling's and Prof. Graetz's accounts are 
worth citing in ex ten so. The former, who is engaged in copying 
this earliest specimens of American Jewish literature, the work 
of Isaac Aboab, for the American Jewish Historical Society, 
writes as follows: "Aboab became Chacham (Chief) of the 
congregation in Recife, which would have become one of the 
largest and richest, had it not been hindered in its develop- 
ment by the disturbances of war; it was dissolved after a short 
existence. The new settlers enjoyed tranquility only for a 
few years, for already in 1645 the sanguinary struggles, for 
the possession of the colony, between the Portuguese and the 
Hollanders began. The Jews stood faithfully on the side of 
the Hollanders, who had granted them perfect equality, and 
distinguished themselves by courage and heroism, as well as 
by succor to the distressed. During the war Abraham Coen, 
a rich and high-minded man of Amsterdam, who was in great 
favor with Duke Moritz of Nassau, supported Jews and Chris- 
tians in such a magnanimous way that the Supreme Council 
of the Brazilian people looked with admiration at the great 
work of mercy. Isaac Aboab faithfully discharged the duties 
of his office; he ordered days of fasting and prayer, and his 
fiery speeches encouraged his co-religionists to perseverance 
and devotion. It was a fierce struggle of nine years which 
brought much suffering on the Jews. Recife was besieged 
and the garrison decimated by hunger. ' Many of the Jewish 
immigrants were killed by the enemy, many died of hunger. 
The remainder were exposed to death from similar causes. 
Those who had been accustomed to delicacies were glad to be 
able to satisfy their hunger with dry bread; soon they could 
not obtain even this; they were in want of everything, and 
were preserved alive as by a miracle.' 

19 Cf. I. c, p. 16, No. 3. 

20 Cf. Van Kampen, Gesehichte der Niederlande, vol. II, p. 120 ; 
apud Frankel, Monatsschrift, vol. XII (1863), p. 324; Koenen's 
Geschiedenis der Joden in. Nederland (Utrecht, 1843) p. 280 sq.; 
Isaac da Costa, Israel und die Voelker (Germ. ed. by K. Maun, 
Frankfort, A. M., 1855) p. 318 ff.; Graetz's History, I. c, p. 693-4; 
Kayserling, lb., I. c, pp. 17-18. 



14 

Prof. Graetz, still more explicit, writes to the following effect: 
"In 1646, when open war broke out between the Portuguese and 
the Dutch, and the garrison of Recife, exhausted by famine, 
was on the point of surrendering unconditionally, the Jews 
encouraged the governor to brave resistance. A fanatical war 
of race and religion between the Portuguese and the Dutch 
devastated fair Brazil, and a famine ensued. The Jews vied with 
the Dutch in suffering and bravery. Isaac Aboab, the Chacham 
of the Brazil community, paints the suffering of the war, 
which he himself endured, in lurid colors: ' Volumes would 
not suffice to relate our miseries. The enemy spread over 
field and wood, seeking here for booty and there for life. 
Many of us died, sword in hand, others from want; they now 
rest in cold earth. We survivors were exposed to death in 
every form; those accustomed to luxuries were glad to seize 
mouldy bread to stay their hunger. ' 

"At last, the States -General were compelled by European 
wars to surrender the colony to the Portuguese. The devoted 
zeal of the Jews for the political welfare of the Dutch was a 
firm band, never afterwards dissolved, between them and the 
Republic. The toleration and equal position of Jews in the 
Netherlands were ensured forever. ' ' 

Southey relates {History of Brazil, Vol. II, p. 241; apud 
Koenen's Geschiedenis , p. 281), that when the Dutch in Recife 
were besieged the second time, 21 the Jews manifested much 
courage and bravery in its defense. One of the Pintos (Jewish 
stock also in Surinam, where Isaac Pinto, a member of this 
family, likewise displayed zeal and heroism in resisting the 
enemy), is said to have manned the fort Dos Affrogados single 
handed, until, overwhelmed by superior force, he was com- 
pelled to surrender. 

' ' In the wars of the Dutch against the Spaniards, ' ' says Dr. 
A. Hahn, "one of the Pintos was killed at his post while 
bravely defending one of the fortresses. ' ' His death is nowhere 
else recorded, however. 22 

21 Cf. Southey 's History of Brazil, Vol. II, pp. 202-230; Van 
Kampen, Geschichte der Niederlande, Vol. II, pp. 120-122; also the 
'•ame writer's Geschiedenis der Nederlanders buiten Europa; Isaac 
de Costa, op. eit., p. 319. 

22 See the American Jeivs 1 Annual for 1886-1887, p. 35. 



15 

The supremacy of the United Provinces now came to an end 
in America. On the 23d of January, 1654, Recife, together 
with the neighboring cities of Mauri tsstad, Parayba, Itamarica, 
Seara, and other Hollandish possessions, was ceded to the 
Portuguese conquerors, with the condition that a general 
amnesty be granted. (Koenen, /. c. , p. 282). Although, as 
Netscher 23 remarks, this stipulation was agreed upon, and the 
Jews, who were loyal supporters of Holland, were promised 
every consideration, the Portuguese governor, heeding the 
treacherous advice of jealous persons, ordered the Jews to quit 
Brazil at once. It must be admitted, in justice to Portugal, 
that he treated them kindly , inasmuch as he placed at their dis- 
posal sixteen vessels to carry them and their property any- 
where they chose, and furnished them with passports and safe- 
guards. Thus after a residence of several decades, Aboab, 
Aguilar, the Nassys, Pereiras, the Mezas, Abraham de Castro, 
Josua Sarfati, both surnamed el Brasil™ returned to Amster- 
dam, and many others went to New York, where they formed 
the nucleus of a prosperous colony. They arrived in safety, 
although one of their vessels, attacked by pirates, was rescued 
by the French and escorted to New Holland. 25 

23 Les Hollandais au Bresil, p. 163, ad ann. 1653-1654: "Une 
amnistie pleine et entiere etait aceordee aux Portugais et aux Juifs, 
qui avaient pris cause pour le gouveruement Hollandais, et les Juifs et 
autres personnes non-catholiques qui resteraient au Br6sil y seraient 
traites de la meme maniere, qu'au Portugal (ce qui cachait une arriere- 
pensee digne de l'intolerance religieuse de ces jours-la." Here he adds 
a note which is hardly correct: " Aujourdhuiil ne se trouventpresque 
pas des Juifs au Bresil." 

M Cf. Koenen, I. c, p. 282; Kayserling, P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, 
p. 17. 

25 See the Measseph for 1784; ap. Jost, Geschichte der Israeliten, 
Vol. VIII, pp. 241-242; Da- Costa, Israel und Die Voelker, I. c, pp. 
321-322; Dr. Hahn in The American Jews' Annual (1886-1887) p. 36; 
Rev. E. M. Myers' The Centurial (New York, 1890), p. 105; P. A. J. 
H. S., No. 2, p. 99. More fully in our paper ou Early Jewish Litera- 
ture in America, I. c, p. 138-139. 



16 

III. 

Samuel Nassy of Surinam. 



Not all the Jews, who were by royal order expelled from 
Brazil in 1654, when the Dutch possessions in South America 
were ceded to Portugal, left their adopted country, where they, 
for a brief span of years enjoyed all the privileges of their 
fellowmen. Many were so much attached to American soil 
that they dared remain, despite the edict of banishment, in 
Brazil and elsewhere. 

In Dutch Guiana, a thrifty colony was formed as early as 
1644, 26 two years after the influx and settlement of Amsterdam 
Jews in Brazil under Aboab and Aguilar. These were un- 
doubtedly the original colonists of Brazil. This colony soon 
increased by a second settlement of Jews hailing, likewise, from 
Brazil, who were undoubtedly persuaded to migrate thither by 
their Dutch coreligionists in Cayenne. The President of the West 
Indian Company, recognizing their influence as a commercial 
and political body, granted a most liberal charter of rights 27 .in 
1659 (September 12th), wherein freedom of thought, and 
liberty of conscience and worship were duly accorded to them 
through their able representative, David Nassy, a native Bra- 
zilian, who, by force of his personality, culture and intelligence, 
was destined to play a most important part in the political and 
social development of this and other colonies subsequently 
formed in the Guianas. So enticing was this generous pro- 
gramme, that already in the following year, 1660, 152 Jews 

26 Cf. Koenen's Geschiedenis der Joden in Nederland, p. 283; 
Dr. M. Kayserling, Sephardim, Romanische Poesien der Juden in 
Spanien, (Leipzig, 1859), p. 265. 

27 The Dutch text of this valuable document is published in the 
Essai Historique sur la Colonie Surinam, Paramaribo 1788 [Amster- 
dam 1791], Vol. II, pp. 113-122 and in Koenen's work on the History 
of the Jews in Holland, I. c, pp. 460-466. The present writer intends 
to reprint the original text with an English translation in the P. A. 
J. H. S.\ cf. his paper on Early Jewish Literature in America in the 
Publications No. 3 (1895), p. 104, 136, 137. 



17 

of both sexes, 28 embarked at Livorno, Italy, 29 bound for the 
land of freedom, where they, arrived in the ship Monte del 
Cisne, having set sail on the memorable 9th day of Ab (August) 
1660, in order to build up their temple under more favorable 
auspices in another hemisphere. 30 

Among their number was the famous Spanish poet and 
historian De Barrios (see above), to whom we owe many 
important items of early American Jewish history. His visit 
to America was not a happy one, for shortly after his arrival 
his wife, Deborah, died in Tabago (West Indies). 31 

The continuous wars between Holland and Portugal caused 
the colonists no little grief and annoyance. The frequent 
devastations of the French, too, who were equally zealous and 
greedy for conquest, gave them so much anxiety that they 
decided to transplant the colony to Surinam — a plan which was 
carried out on May 15th, 1664. 32 

As the writer is engaged in compiling an extensive work on 

28 Cf. Kayserling Sephardim, etc., I. c, p. 266; his paper on the 
Earliest Rabbis and Jewish Writers in America, in P. A. J. H. S., 
No. 3, p. 18; Koenen, I. c, pp. 288-284. 

29 From this it would appear that the Jews in South America 
were corresponding and perhaps commercially connected with their 
brethren in Italy. We have elsewhere proven that the Marranos in 
Hispahiola were carrying on an extensive trade between various large 
sea-ports of Italy (see our forthcoming paper on The Jewish Martyrs 
of the Inquisition in South America, to appear in P. A. J. II. S., No. 
4, 1805), and that the Jews of Brazil as early as 1636 wrote to Rabbi 
Chayim Sabbathai, of Salonica, in reference to disputes arising in their 
midst concerning Jewish customs and ritual Cf. the notes in our 
study quoted above, P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, pp. 104-105, 137. 

30 Cf. Barrios' reference at the end of his Opuscula: "EnTisa 
beab (sic) sali de Liorne ano de 1660 con 152 Almas de Israel en la 
nave llamada Monte del Ciene para ir apoblar a Cayana conquista de 
Holandeses en America." Koenen, I. c, p. 283, numbers only 112 
passengers, which is evidently erroneous. Cf. also Kayserling, 
Sephardim, etc., p. 266, note 1 ; 355, n. 402; P. A. J. H. S., No. 8, p. 18. 

31 Cf. Kayserling Sephardim, I. c, and P. A. J. H. S., 3, p. 18; see 
more fully in my paper on a Contribution to the History of the Jews 
in the Islands of St. Thomas, Jamaica and Barbadoes, to appear in 
P.A.J. H. S, No. 4. 

32 See Koenen's Oeschiedenis, p. 284. The date 1654, there given is 
probably a misprint for 1664. 

2 



18 

the Jews of Surinam he refrains now from entering into details 
concerning their early career. Suffice it to say that the spirit 
of their Dutch masters followed them thenceforth for more than 
a century and a half. The English government then ruling 
the colony, true to their traditional standard of tolerance ever 
since the days of Cromwell and Menasseh ben Israel, endowed 
them with equal civil rights and granted them not only full 
exercise of their religion, but excused them from public and 
military service on the Sabbath day. The document is a 
precious chapter in the history of religious liberty in America. 
It was published recently by the present writer. 33 Without 
further prolegomena, we desire to introduce one of the members 
of the famous family of Nassy, all of whom fully deserved the 
distinction of nobility implied in their name, 84 for their bravery 
and statesmanship. 

History records the estimable services of Samuel Nassy, who 
but for some unlucky circumstance would have occupied the 
highest official position in Surinam. De Barrios, who probably 
knew him personally, remembers him in the following words: 
' ' Del pueblo de Sarinam Samuel Nasi (sic) Senorea El coraco?i 
con los dones y et e studio con la ciencia." 35 Dr. Kayserling, in a 
recent article says: " Of great influence upon the free develop- 
ment of the colony, as on the condition of the Jewish inhabi- 
tants, was the activity of Samuel Nasi, a talented and scientific- 
ally trained man, who is designated as ' Citizens' Captain,' and 
was a candidate for the position of governor." 36 It is said that 

33 Cf. Appendix II to my paper on Early Jewish Literature in 
America, P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, pp. 145-147, cf. also pp. 125-132 where 
some points in their history are given. 

34 Dr. E. Carmoly, in his essay on Don Joseph Nasi, Due de 
Naxos (Brussels, 1855), traces the relationship of this eminent person- 
age even to American shores, where the Nasis nourished. The word 
Nasi in Hebrew indicates chief, or prince. See also Fuerst's Orient, 
XII (1851-2), p. 335; Steinschneider's Hammaskir, II (1859), p. 33. 

35 See Don Miguel Levi de Barrios, Arbol de las Vidas, p. 90; 
apud Kayserling, in P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, p. 18, note 2. 

36 Cf. Kayserling, ib., I. c; and his article: Die Juden in Suri- 
nam, published in Frankel's Monatsschrift fur die Geschichte und 
Wissenschaft des Judenthums, Vol. VIII, (1859), p. 207; also Van 
Sijpenstein, Beschrijving van Suriname, historiseh-geographischen 
statistisch overzigt. Uit offieiele Bronnen bijeengebragt (Gravenhage, 
1854,) p. 22. 



19 

Governor Aerssens, with whom the Jews of Surinam had some 
little difficulty, 37 sealed a treaty of peace with the Indians, who 
molested the early settlers quite often, and in order to make it 
of a more durable character, he formed an alliance with the 
chieftain's daughter. 38 While he lived there was no disturb- 
ance at all, but almost immediately after his death, the savage 
tribes returned to their former aggressive attitude and made a 
furious onslaught on the colony. With the help of the Jewish 
inhabitants, who were headed by Captain Samuel Nassy, the 
Indians were promptly repulsed. 39 

Nassy soon acquired influence and prominence among his 
co-religionists in particular. He strove to introduce a few 
necessary reforms in ritual and ceremony — the first traces of 
the reform movement in America — especially in the abrogation 
of certain festivals which were perhaps too burdensome to the 
community. It seems, however, that in this he met with con- 
siderable opposition, although he had the sanction and support 
of the Rabbis in Amsterdam, with whom he corresponded. 40 
The authority with which he was vested b}^ reason of his 
executive ability and earnest zeal soon diminished with the 
arrival of the newly appointed governor, Heer Van Scherpen- 
huizen, the successor of Aerssens, 41 a fact which tended much to 
embitter his days and aroused sharp controversy between him 
and his rival. He had the satisfaction of being instrumental 
in his recall soon after his accession. 42 

37 See Koenen's Geschiedenis der Joden, etc., pp. 291-92. 

38 Cf. ibid, I. c, p. 293; Essai Historique sur la Colonie Surinam, 
etc., Vol. I, p. 42. 

39 Koenen, I.e.: " Zij werden vooral door de Joden, aan wier hoofd 
zich als Kapitein Samuel Nassy bevorid, teruggedreven." 

40 Koenen, I. c, says: " Deze Nassy verkreeg van tijd tot tijd veel 
invloed onder zijne geloofsgenooten, en trachtte eenige hervor- 
mingen bij hen tot stand te brengen, in zonderheid met opzicht tot 
hunne zoo menigvaldige feestdagen; doch hij vond daarin niet weinig 
tegenwerking, ofschoon hij door brieven der Amsterdamsche Rabbi- 
jnen werd ondersteund." 

41 Koenen, I. c: " Zijn gezag verminderde zeer, toen de Kolonie op 
nieuw een Bewindhebber verkreeg in den Heer Van Scherpenhuizen, 
die Aerssens in het bestuur opvolgde." 

42 See Kayserling, in Monatsschrift, I. c, Vol., VIII, p. 207: 
"Samuel (Cohen) Nasi wird als Biirger-Capitaen bezeichnet und trieb 



20 

Nassy flattered himself that his personal influence was neces- 
sary to the welfare and prosperity of the colony. And he was 
right. The Jews relied so implicit^ upon his counsels and 
were so certain that he would be proclaimed governor, for he 
enjoyed the esteem of Jew and Gentile alike, that it was an 
unpleasant shock to them all when quite another person, com- 
paratively unknown, was chosen in his stead. It is, therefore, 
not surprising that Samuel Nassy, seeing the loss of his public 
prestige, thought fit to betake himself to Amsterdam, unwilling 
to remain in a country which owed all its present affluence to 
his sterling honesty and wise management, and was yet so slow 
in showing its gratitude to the able statesman. His disappoint- 
ment and dissatisfaction in not succeeding Heer Van Sommels- 
dyk as governor infected the whole Jewish community. The 
rupture which eventually followed between the Jews and 
Governor Scherpenhuizen resulted in the latter' s removal. 43 
This was chiefly occasioned by the unfriendly treatment of the 
Jews at the governor's hands, who, seeing in them only the 
partisans of his former rival, took care to harrass them with 
unjust taxation. This exasperated them so much that they 
lodged a complaint against him with Baron de Belmonte and 
their " Citizens' Captain " Samuel Nassy, both in Amsterdam, 
and demanded the immediate recall of their prejudiced governor 
from the State- Council. Strangely enough, Nassy 's influence 

nicht allein die stets wieder neu einbreehenden Indianer mit starkem 
Arm zuriick, sondern bewirkte auch, dass der neu ernannte 
Gouverneur Jan (Johann) van Scharphuisen von seinem Posten 
abberufen wurde." Cf. also Isaac de Costa's work, op. cit., p. 321. 

43 See Koenen's Geschiedenis, etc., p. 294: " Ongelukkig ontstond 
er een scherpe naijver tusschen den nieuwen Gouverneur en Samuel 
Nassy, die voor zijne komst bijkans alle gezag in zich vereenigd had, 
en wellicht had gehoopt den Heer Van SommeJsdyk in net bestuur 
te zullen opvolgen; ten gevolge waarvan hij goedvond de uieuw 
wereld te verlaten, en zich onder zijne broederen te Amsterdam te 
gaan nederzetten. Ook na zijn vertrek bleef de spanning tusschen de 
hoofden der Israelitische bevolking en den Heer Van Scherpenhuizen 
voortduren, zoodat de eersten zich bij den Baron de Belmonte en 
Samuel Nassy te Amsterdam over hem beklaagden, nun bijstand 
verzochten, en de terugroeping van den Bewindhebber op die wijs 
wisten te bewerken. Hij werd in 1696 vervangen door Paulus Van 
Der Veen, en deze op zijne beurt in 1706 door Willem de Gooyer." 



21 

was still powerful, for he was replaced, in 1696, by another 
governor, Paulus van der Veen by name, shortly after the 
petition was filed. Scherpenhuizen embarked for Holland. 
Having been taken prisoner by the French on his way thither, 
he arrived there only after several months. Hardly had he 
landed at Amsterdam, before he was arraigned by Samuel Nassy 
before the civil court and he was compelled to vindicate his 
conduct.** The record of that trial and defense, in which Nassy 
took a leading part, is still extant, published in 1697. * 5 



IV. 

Defense of the Jews in Surinam Against the French in 

1689 and 1712. 

The loyalty of the Jews to their new settlement is un- 
paralleled in American history. Every emergency found them 
ready to show their allegiance to Holland. Thus, when in 
1689, a French fleet, under Admiral Cassard, made a sudden 
attack on the colony, they were met with brave resist ence by 

44 Cp. Dr. M. Kayserling's sketch on "The Jews of Surinam," in 
Monatsschrift, I. c, p. 207: " Ehe noch Scharphuizen auf Surinam 
landete, hatte Samuel Nasi die Kolonie verlassen. Nasi konnte es 
nicht ertragen, einen andern Mann in der Stellung zu sehen, welche 
er selbst zu erlangen hoffte und welche er, vermoege seiner dem Lande 
erwiesenen Dienste und Fahigkeiten mit Recht beanspruchen konnte. 
Er verliess Surinam und schiffte sich nach Amsterdam ein. In 
Folge der Mitbewerbung des Juden um die Gouverneurstelle hatte 
Scharphuizen die judischen Kolonisten mit weniger Freundliehkeit 
behandelt und sie hoeher besteuert als die uebrigen Bewohner der 
Kolonie, so dass jene bei dem Grafen de Belmonte und ihrem Biirger- 
Capitan Samuel Nasi Klage fiihrten und die Riickberufung des 
Gouverneurs aufs dringenste von der Regierung verlangten. Wirk- 
lich wurde ein anderer Gouverneur in der Person des Paulus van der 
Veen bestellt. Scharphuizen schiffte sich nach Holland ein ; unterwegs 
von den Franzosen zum Gefangenen gemacht, gelangte er erst nach 
mehreren Monaten in die Heimat. Kaum aber in Amsterdam 
angekommen, wurde er von Nasi vor Gericht gefordert und gezwungen 
sich oeffentlich zu vertheidigen." 

45 Punten en articulen, und Bericht en antwoord van den Gou- 
verneur Jan van Scherpenhuizen. (Amsterdam, 1697.) It would be 
very interesting to have a copy of this important trial, in which 
Samuel Nassy figured so prominently. 



22 

the Jews. Van Chattillon, son of the previous governor, dis- 
played great heroism on this occasion. 46 Two Dutch historians 
make mention of the valor of the Jews. Verburg and Fr. 
Holf. Merkurius relate in their Histories of the East and West- 
Indies, that ' ' after the death of Governor Aersen (sic) and the 
arrival of the new representative Scherpenhuizen, word was 
received that a French fleet was nearing Surinam . All soldiers 
and sailors were ordered out and summoned to appear at the 
fort. The call was obeyed by the Jews, of whom there were 
many in Surinam, and despite the fact that it was a Sabbath- 
day, they fought valiantly for their colony. Two letters 
eulogizing their action in the matter were sent to the Society 
Felix Libertate, by a worthy citizen, H. L,. Bromet, who lived 
for many years in Surinam." 47 

46 Cf. Koenen, I. c, p. 293-294: " De Joden van Surinam 
bewezen de Kolonie wederom groote diensten, toen zij in den jare 
1689 eenen aanval te verduren had van het Fransche Eskader, onder 
bevel van den vlootvoogd Cassard; in welke verdediging de Heer Van 
Chatillon, zoon van den vorigen Bewindhebber, zich bijzonder on- 
derscheidde." See also Isaac de Costa's Israel und die Voelker (1855), 
p. 321; Frankel in his Monatsschrift, vol. XII (1863), p. 362. BSvue 
des J&tudes luives, Vol. IV (1882), p. 131. 

47 Dr. E. Carmoly, in a brief note entitled: " Patriotismus der 
Juden in Surinam," published in Dr. Leopold Loew's journal, Ben 
Chananja (Szegedin, 1861), Vol. IV, No. 20, p. 178, n. 37, writes: 
"Niemand wird ihnen den Euhm streitig machen, nicht nur ihre 
Soldatendienste zu thun, sondern auch bei Zuegen gegen ihre in die 
Wiilder geflohene Sklaven ihre Religionsgesetze den Interesse ihrer 
Buergerpflichten nachzusetzen; sogar aberglaubische Juden werden es 
ihnen nicht als Suende anzeichnen. Man sehe davon einen Beweis in 
Verburg's O [s£] en W[esf\ Ind. Geschied [enis], 11 D. 8, Oyd bestek, 35 
hoofild. I 45, v. d. J. 1689, und Fr. Holf. Merkurius 40 D. wo erziihlt 
wird, dass, da nach dem Tode des Gouverneur Aersen (sic) der Bevoll- 
machtigte Scherphuizen bei seiner Ankunft in Surinam die Nach- 
richt von der Anniiherung der franzoesischen Flotte erhalten habe, 
sogleich alle Soldaten, nebst den Matrosen und den Burgern auf das 
Kastell erboten und diesem Befehl Gehorsam geleistet worden sei, 
selbst von den Juden, deren viele in Surinam wohnen, ungeachtet 
es Sabbat war. Auch hat man darueber zwei sehr schoene Briefe an 
die Gesellschaft: Felix Libertate von dem kuendigen Burger H. L. 
Bromet der 20 Jahre lang in Surinam wohnte." These letters may 
yet be extant in the State library at Amsterdam, where many 
documents on Surinam are preserved. 



23 

The colony, unmolested by strife and war, soon began to 
thrive and prosper. Their respite was of short duration, how- 
ever, for already in in 17 12, Admiral Cassard, at the head of 
another powerful squadron advanced upon the settlement. A 
fierce attack made in June, 17 12, was manfully repulsed. In 
October of the same year, Cassard' s fleet again appeared on the 
coast, and endeavored to sail up the Commawine River. The 
inhabitants, and particularly the Jews, under Captain Isaac 
Pinto 48 offered a stubborn resistance, and although they fought 
valiantly, they could not prevent the enemy from landing, 
bombarding the city of Paramaribo, and devastating the country. 
The treaty of Utrecht sealed soon after between the French 
and Dutch put an end to these vagaries. 49 

A recent writer on American Jewish history says: " In the 
war against the French in 1689, members of the families Pinto 
da Fonsera (read Fonseca), Arias, Naar, De Brito and D'Avilar 
fought valiantly. ' ' 50 

48 See my paper in the P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, p. 121, note 1; also 
R6vue des Etudes Juives. Vol. IV (1882), p. 131. 

49 See Van Kampen, Geschiedenis der Nederlanders buiten Eu- 
ropa, Dl. II, bl. 416-420; apud Koenen's Geschiedenis, etc., p. 294-495: 
" De Kolonie was van jaar tot jaar in bloei en welstand toegenomen, 
sedert de heilzanie hervormingen van Aerssens hare talrijke vruchten 
begonnen af te werpen. Geen wonder, dat ire opkomende welvaart 
de Franschen, die op dat pas met de Republiek in oorlog waren, 
geweldig in de oogen stak. In Junij des Jaars 1712 waagden zij 
een vrij hevigen aanval, die echter manrnoedig werd afgeslagen. 
In October verscheen de Fransche vlootvoogd Cassard op nieuw voor 
de kust, en trachte de rivier Commawine binnen te zeilen. De in- 
gezetenen, in zonderheid de joden onder him Kapitein Isaac Pinto, 
boden een hardnekkigen wederstand, doch konden niet beletten, 
dat de vijand het land afliep, de stad Paramaribo bombardeerde, en 
de volkplanting op een gruwzame wijs brandsehattede. Kort daarop 
werd de vrede van Utrecht gesloten, waardoor de Kolonie van dezen 
vijand gelukkig voor het vervolg verlost werd." See also Dr. Kay- 
serling, in the Monatsschrift, I. c, p. 208. His remarks being substan- 
tially the same, we forbear citing in full. 

50 Cp. Dr. A. Hahn's article on Primitive Jewish Settlements in 
America, in the American Jews' Annual for 1886-1887, p. 36; also 
Isaac de Costa, op. cit., p. 321; Revue des Etudes Juives, Vol. IV (1882), 
p. 131. We are inclined to think that the families mentioned, dis- 
tinguished themselves in subsequent engagements in Surinam, during 
the negro revolts of which we shall speak in the next rubric. 



24 



V. 

Suppression of Negro-Revolts by the Jews of Surinam 

(1690-1772.) 

Hardly were the colonists freed from the depredations of the 
French before danger menaced them from another direction. 
An anonymous writer, cited by Hannah Adams, 61 says: "The 
great check to the prosperity of Surinam has arisen from the 
inhabitants being exposed to the invasion and lawlessness of 
the Maroons, or runaway negroes, who have formed several 
communities in the inaccessible parts of the woods, and were 
the most implacable and cruel enemies of the colonists. The 
Jewish militia have often signalized themselves against them, 
and have been of great use to the colony; one-third of whom 
were of this (Jewish) nation." 

Already in the year 1690 the negro slaves on the plantation 
of a wealthy Jewish landowner, Machado, rebelled against their 
master and murdered him. Governor Scharphuizen, who en- 
tertained bitter feelings against the Jews, refused to lend them 
the slightest assistance, so that they were thrown entirely upon 
their own resources. 53 More than once the Jews, exasperated 

51 Cp. a review of the Essai Historique sur la Colonie Surinam, 
etc., quoted often in this essay, in the Monthly Review for 1792; 
Frankel in his Monalsschrift, vol. XII (1863), p. 362 ; and Hannah 
Adams' History of the Jews (Boston, 1810) p. 457. On pp. 455-458, 
a fair resumg of the History of the Jews in Surinam is given. 

~ 52 Koenen, I. c, p. 295: "Reeds in het jaar 1690 waren de slaven 
op de plantagie van eenen rijken Israeliet, Machado genaamd, 
opgestaan, en hadden nun naeester vermoord. Van toen af waren 
de Negers, die kans zagen om zich van hunne heeren te ontslaan, 
begonnen naar de binnenlanden te vluchten, alwaar zij zich in d e 
bosschen nestelden. De Gouverneur Van Scherpenhuizen vond niet 
goed, den Joden bij dergelijke gelegenheden eenigen bijstand te ver- 
leenen, maar beval nun, om up hunne eigene verdediging bedacht 
te zijn. Dit was een groote misslag ; want, eensdeels ieerde hij 
daardoor de Israelitische bevolking zich onderling tot hare eigene 
handhaving te verbinden, hetgeen lichtelijk voor de Christenen 
bij eeuige botsing gevaaiiijk had kunnen worden; anderdeels liet 
hij daardoor langzamerhand eene macht opkomen, die gelijk de 
ervaring geleerd heeft, niet slechts voor de rust en veiligheid 
maar voor het bestaan der volkplanting zelve hoogstgevaarlijk moest 
worden." Cp. also Kayserling, I. c, p. 208. 



25 

by the governor's neglect, took matters into their own hands, 
and defended themselves with great success. The negroes, 
nothing daunted by this spirited show of resistance assumed a 
still more threatening attitude, their numbers, and hence their 
audacity, increasing more and more each day. The natives 
knowing full well that their advantage lay in their endurance 
of climate and similar local circumstances, understood how to 
utilize the fact to their benefit, and during the following years 
harassed the colony very much. This state of affairs, how- 
ever, could not last long. In 1730 a desperate effort was made 
by the Jewish militia, which was determined to punish the 
slaves, under the lead of an under-officer followed by fourteen 
volunteers and thirty-six negroes. They exhibited no little 
courage and bravery in the taking possession and guard of an 
important post situated in the vicinity of the devastated negro 
villages. 58 This determined stand of the Jews did not, by any 
means, intimidate the lawless hordes who were intent upon re- 
bellion and plunder. On the contrary it only roused their anger 
all the more. In 1731 it was again deemed imperative to check 
their depredations. The Citizens' Captain Boeye and the 
spirited David Nassy, (who more than any one else before 
and after him worked for the prosperity of Surinam) were 
chosen leaders of this campaign. David Nassy is described by 
historians as a man of power and integrity. He is said to have 
drilled the negro slaves on his plantation so thoroughly for such 
enterprises, that his co-operation was of the utmost ne- 
cessity. He was the nephew of David Nassy who first settled 
in Surinam and received (in 1659), the famous charter of 
privileges to settle in Cayenne. 5 * (See above.) It seems that 
he entertained friendly relations with his negro slaves who, in 
1 7 17 were offered perfect freedom by the Political Council 

53 Koenen, I. c, pp. 295-296: " De Joden verdedigden zich meer 

dan eenmaal net goed gevolg Evenwel deed men in 1730 

eene krachtvolle poging, bij welke zich eene Joodsche compagnie, 
onder aanvoeriDg van een Onderofficier met veertien blanken en zes- 
en-dertig Negers, onderscheidde door net bezetteu en bewaken van 
een belankrijken post, na net verwoesten van de gehuchten der Bosch- 
negers." Cp. also Kayserling, I. c, p. 208. 

54 Op. Kayserling in Monatsschrift, I. c, p. 208. 



26 

(Raad van Politie) if they volunteered to fight against the Ma- 
roons, who made frequent assaults on the colonists. Already 
in the year 171 8, Nassy enlisted in the Jewish Corps, com- 
manded by Captain Jacob D'Avilar, and distinguished himself 
in a combat of a similar nature. So impetuous and brave was 
he in battle that he was speedily promoted from a regular to 
the office of lieutenant, and later to that of Captain of the 
Jewish Citizens' Company {Kapitein der Joodsche burger com- 
pag?iie). He was, therefore, well qualified by dint of personal 
bravery and diplomatic skill to take so important a part in the 
expedition against the Maroons. 

In the present campaign he was not less fortunate and 
heroic. Undaunted by the treacherous trick of Boeye, who 
abandoned him in the middle of the fray, he attacked the foe 
in their own retreats, killed several and took as many more 
prisoners. Boeye, who was his envious rival, fearful perhaps 
of the consequences of his own cowardice, accused Nassy of 
indiscretion and disobedience, but so universal was the esteem 
and sympathy felt for the latter, who had before earned laurels 
on the field and was thought incapable of such folly, that he 
had but little difficulty in proving his innocence. The result 
was that Nassy was honorably acquitted, whilst his jealous 
rival, the real culprit, was duly punished. He added to his 
fame most decisively by this new stroke of bravery and military 
prowess and had the honor of being praised and glorified by the 
Spanish- Jewish poetess Benvenida Belmonte,^ who composed a 
fitting eulogy in verse on his deeds of valor. 56 Nassy was the 

55 Koenen, I. c, p. 297, has erroneously Ben Venida del Monte — a 
name unknown in Spanish-Jewish literature. Dr. Kayserling, I. c, 
p. 208, note 6, corrects the mistake, and identifies him with the same 
authoress, who wrote in praise of the Spanish translation of the 
Psalter by Daniel Israel Lopez Laguna, of Jamaica. Cp. the present 
writer's papers on Early Jewish Literature in America, in 
P. A. J. II. S., No. 3, p. 110-112; 140-141; and Jewish Martyrs of the 
Inquisition in South America, in P. A. J. H. S., No. 4, (1895) where 
full references are given on this famous American-Shephardic poet. 

56 See Koenen's Geschiedenis I. c, p. 296-297: " 

Reeds in 1718 had hij, (David Nassy) onder bevel van den Joodschen 
Kapitein Jacob d'Avilar, aan een welgelukten aanslag van dien aard 
deel genomen: ten gevolge van welken hij van Onderofficier tot 
eersten Luitenant, straks tot Kapitein der Joodsche burger-compag- 



27 

* 

second South American Jew, whose nobility of character and 
State services were commemorated in Spanish-Jewish literature. 
(Cp. szcpra, rubric II, on Abraham Coen of Brazil.) His gen- 
eralship and scientific tactics were called into requisition about 
two decades afer his above detailed victory, in another expe- 
dition against the marauding band of negroes, who troubled 
the peace of the colony for nearly a century at various inter- 
vals. As previously noted, in the case of Machado, anno 1690, 
the slaves of another wealthy Jewish planter, Manuel Pereiri, 
rebelled against their master, in 1738, and, thinking to shake 
off the yoke of slavery, cruelly murdered him. Hereupon, 
Isaac Arias, a former officer of the Jewish militia, who lived 
in the victim's neighborhood, sent out a detachment of Jewish 
volunteers, headed by David Nassy and Abraham De Brito, 
to wreak vengeance upon the rebels. The troops remained 
away for six weeks in the enemy's camp, 57 and it began to be 
feared that they were utterly routed and destroyed, when the 
company returned, bringing with them the trophies of a most suc- 
cessful onslaught made against the Maroons, namely six hands 
severed from fallen negroes, and forty-seven prisoners of war. 
As a reward for their bravery every officer received from the 
Council (Raad) 75 f. (florins?); every citizen (Jewish regular) 
36 f. ; each armed negro 20 f. ; and each colored man who was 
in needy circumstances, 5 f. 58 

nie, benoemd was. Thans was hij niet minder voorspoedig; en of- 
schoon door Boeye verlaten, trof hij den vijand in zijne woningen aan ; 
versloeg er velen, en nam een aantal anderen gevangen. Boey6, die 
den Israelitischen Hoofdman wegens gebrek aan ondergeschiktheid, 
had aangeklaagd, werd zelf gestraft, en Nassy oogstte van dezen 
tocht zoo groot eenen naam in, dat hij door den Spaansch-Joodscheu 
dichter (sic) Ben Venida del Monte (sic) in fierlijke lofdichten werd 
bezongen en gevierd." See also Kayserling, I. c, p. 208. His notes 
based on Koenen's are not as full. 

57 Van Kampen, in his Geschiedenis der Nederlanders buiten Ev. 
ropa, Dl. Ill, bl. 116, says, curiously enough, that they were away 
about six months instead of six tueeks. 

58 Cp. Koenen, I. c, p. 297: " In 1738 standen de Negers der plau- 
tagie van den Joodschen eigenaar Manuel Pereira op, vermoorden 
bunnen meester. Hierop zond Isaac Arias, voormalig Orricier der 
Joodsche compagnie die zijne bezittingen in de nabuurschap had, 



28 

Five years later, in 1743, brave old Captain David Nassy, 
who had conducted thirty like expeditions against the Maroons, 
sallied forth for the last time to fight for his people and, ac- 
cording to some, to die on the battlefield the death of a hero. 59 
This time he was arrayed against the Creoles, who by reason 
of their more acute intelligence and culture (having been long 
associated with Europeans) were yet the most dangerous of all 
their foes. Endowed with a noble Macabbean spirit, he fell like 
his ancestor Matathias, in the moment of victory. It was on 
the Day of Atonement that the venerable sage and warrior 
sallied forth to war. It must have been urgent indeed, for 
David Nassy regardless of the solemnity of the festival put 
himself at the head of his trusty men, crossed over the Suri- 
nam River; penetrated further inland; pursued the enemy, set 
their huts ablaze; tore their fruits out of the ground; killed 
many on the spot and dragged about forty slaves along with 
them as captives. Nassy, who had already passed his three 
score years and ten, fell a victim to the treachery of his foes. 
It was told him that the negroes had poisoned all the wells in 
the village, so that he was compelled to turn homeward, in 
order to quench the burning thirst which afflicted him and his 
troops, without awaiting the orders of the Council. This most 

eenige, vrijwilligers van zijne natie, onder aanvoering van David 
Nassy en Abraham De Brito, tegen de Boschnegers uit. Zes weken 
lang bleef deze bende op vijandelijken grond, zoodat niemaud wist 
wat van haar geworden was; doch bij hunne terugkomst bleek net, 
dat zij een allervoorspoedigsten aanval hadden gedaan terwijl zij de 
afgehouwene, handen van zes gesneuvelde Negers, en zeven-een-veer- 
tig krijgsgevangenen medevoerden. Jeder Offieier ontving daarop 
van den Raad voor dezen tocht f. 75 ; jeder burger f. 36; elk gewapende 
Neger f. 20, en jeder zwarte die met ievensmiddelen belast geweest 
was, f. 5 ter belooning." See also Dr. Kayserling, I. c, pp. 208-209. 
He does not state what the rewards were. 

59 Cf. Dr. Hahn's article on Primitive Jewish Settlements in Amer- 
ica, in The American Jews 1 Annual for 1886-87, p. 36, who says that 
"among those who fell on the battlefield was David Nassi, in 1743, 
at the age of seventy. That was his thirty-first campaign against 
the French." We are inclined to believe that this is wrong, for 
earlier historians (see the following note) state that he died of a 
broken heart — a victim of slander. Furthermore, he did not fight 
against the French, but the Maroons. See also Isaac de Costa, op. cit., 
p. 321. 



29 

natural step gave his opponents a good excuse for lodging a 
complaint against him with the authorities, who are usually- 
ready to listen to malice and dispute. His defense was scarcely 
heard and he was pronounced guilty. Such wanton ingrati- 
tude the good old soldier hardly expected as a reward for his 
services for the welfare of his fellow-men. Bitter disappoint- 
ment and grief undermined his health. He was seized with 
fever, and soon after at the age of seventy, or thereabouts, 
death released him from his sufferings. With him died the 
flower of the Jewish colony, an Israelite indeed, in whom there 
was no guile. His co-religionist, Isaac Carvalho, was chosen 
Captain of the Jewish Citizens' Company, in his place. 60 

A few years later, a treaty of peace was made with the 
Western Maroons, who were getting more and more perilous to 
the safety of the colonists. But a new danger threatened them 
from another side. In 1749 the Maroons in the east, known 
as Tempati (?) Negroes (Tempati-negers), broke forth in 
mutiny, plundered a plantation completely and carried off all 
the negro slaves who lived there. This plantation (as in fact 

60 Cf. Kuenen, I. c, p. 297-98: Vijf jaren later deed dezelfde on- 
vermoeide Israelit (David Nassy), die wel dertig tochten tegen de 
Boschnegers heeft ondernomen, ofschoon reeds bejaard, nog eenen 
aanval op het dorp der kreoolsche Negers, die door hunne meer dere 
beschaving en him omgang met de Enropeers de gevaarlijkste van 
alle waren. Deze strooptocht had plaats op den grooten Verzoendag 
der Joden. Zonder dat zij zich door de heiligheid van het feest lieten 
terug houden, trokken deze, de rivier Suriname langs, het binnenland 
in vervolgden den vijand, staken zijne hutten in vlam, roeiden de 
veldvruchten uit den grond, brachten een aantal Negers om, en 
voerden viertien krijgssgevangenen met zich. Doch Nassy werd het 
slachtoffer van een list des vijands. Men maakte hem diets, dat de 
waterbronnen door de Negers vergiftigd waren; een hij, door gebrek 
aan de noodige verversching gedwongen, neemt op zich om terug de 
keeren, zonder den last of de orders ven deen Raad af te wachten. 
Zijne benijders en tegenstanders wisten hem deswege bij den Raad in 
een kwaad gerucht te brengen; zijne verdediging werd naauwelijks 
aangehoord; zijn proces opgemaakt. Dit krenkte den wakkeren man 
zoo geweldig, dat hij door eene koorts werd aangetast, die hem in 
den ouderdom van zeventig jaren ten grave sleepte. Na zijnen dood 
werd zijn geloofogenoot, Isaac Carvalho, iu zijne plaats tot Kapitein 
der Joodsche burger— compaguie benoemd." Cp. also, Kayserling, 
I. c, p. 209. 



30 

all others in Surinam) belonged to a Jewish land-owner, and 
was called Auka. Henceforth the insurrection which origi- 
nated there was named after the Auka-negroes. Against these 
marauders, an expedition, partly under the Christian chief, 
Rijsdorp, and parly in command of the Jewish captain, Moses 
JVaar, was organized and dispatched in 1757. It deserves to 
be mentioned, by the way, that this was Naar's seventeenth 
campaign against the Creoles. The result of this undertaking 
was likewise favorable. Naar burned down a whole negro- 
village, made a number of captives, among them being a 
certain Cory don, the leader of the insurrection. For his 
bravery and skilful capture he was presented with a worthy 
gift by the Council. 61 

We are informed by David J. C. Nasi (or Nassy), the third 
descendant of the original settler of Surinam, who compiled 
with other intelligent men of his age, an exhaustive and com- 
prehensive chronicle of the Jews in Surinam in French, 62 that 

61 See Koenen, I. c, p. 298-299: " Eenige jaren daarna werd een 
verdrag van vrede met de meer en meer gevaarlijk wordende westelijke 
Marrons gesloten. Doch nu vertoonde zich en nieuw gevaar van den 
kant der oostelijke of Tempati-negers, die in net jaar 1749 eene plau- 
tagie plonderden, en de Negerslaven die zich aldaar bevonden, met zich 
voerden. Deze plantagie behoorde eenen Joodschen eigenaar, en heette 
Auka; van daar bleef aan deze opstandelingen de naam van Auka- 
negers. Tegen dien vijand was het, dat in 1757 een tocht werd onder- 
nomen, gedeeltelijk onder den Christenoverste Rijsdorp, gedeeltelijk 
onder den Joodschen Kapitein Naar, die reeds vroeger zestien malen 
tegen denzelfden vijand opgetrokken was. De uitslag 00k van deze 
onderneming was allergunstigst. Naar verbrandde een groot Neger- 
dorp, maakte een aantal gevangenen, waaronder zich zekere Corydon, 
de belhamel der opstandelingen, bevond, en werd voor zijn manmoedig 
bedrijf door den Raad met een aanzienlijk geschenk begiftigd." See 
also Dr. Kayserling, l. c, p. 209: " Im Verein mit dem obersten 
Rijsdorp bekriegte Naar die noch immer Verheerung anrichtenden 
Neger. Er verbrannte eine ihrer groessten Doerfer, nahm ibren 
Hauptling gefangen und wurde wegen seiner an den Tag gelegten 
Tapferkeit ansehnlich belohnt." 

62 See the Essai Historique sur la Colonie de Surinam, etc., (Para- 
maribo, 1788; Dutch version, Amsterdam, 1791), Vol. I, p. 123. Of 
this rare and valuable work, which was called forth by the writings of 
Dohm on the Emancipation of the Jews, only one copy (in the British 
Museum) is known to be in existence. The writer of these lines is 
having the volumes copied in view of his History of the Jews in 



31 

already in 1750, Moses Naar and Gabriel de La Fatte, in recog- 
nition of their active zeal in suppressing a revolt of the negroes 
in their colony, were presented with silver cups and a vote of 
thanks from the government. 63 

The fame achieved by his co-religionist, Naar, so enthused 
and electrified the young and ambitious Isaac Nassy that he 
was eagerly anticipating another outbreak on the part of the 
Maroons, in order to show his courage and reckless heroism. 
The impetuous youth met with a noble, but pathetic end: 

Thinking that against a well-regulated army, however small, 
no valor or charge of the negroes could possibly prevail, he 
hastily collected twelve of his followers upon the rumor of their 
approach; armed his and their most trusty slaves; provided 
himself with the barest necessities of war, sufficient for about 
ten or twelve days, and pursued the retreating foe with an 
ardor which, if imprudent, is at least a virtue in one so young 
and war-thirsty. He was, however, suddenly confronted by a 
much more considerable number of negroes than he reckoned 
upon. His little band stood ground but for a short while. 
Nassy himsely displayed great bravery, and although severely 
wounded by a rifle shot in his right limb, he began to fight 
with a still more marvelous energy in order to rally his terrified 
men and to re-arouse their fleeting courage. But in vain. He 
was captured alive by the sanguinar}'' horde and brutally 
murdered. Two of their chief officers and twenty soldiers fell 
with him on the battlefield. 64 

Surinam. See for further references his paper in the P. A. J. H. &'., 
No. 3, pp. 126-30. It is worthy of mention that this is the first work 
published in Paramaribo. 

63 Cf. Rev. E. M. Myers' Centurial (New York, 1890), p. 117, ad 
ann. 1750. 

6i Cp. Essai Historique sur la Colonie de Surinam, etc. (Para- 
maribo, 1788), Vol. I, pp. 98, 99; Kuenen, I. c, pp. 299, 300 gives a 
graphic account: " Zoodanige belooning, de eerzucht 00k van den nog 
jeugdigen Isaac Nassy prikkelende, berokkende dezen moedigen 
jongeling zijn ondergang. Naijverig op de onderscheiding, door 
zijnen geloofsgenoot verworven, en wanende, dat de Boschuegers 
tegen een' geregelden aanval geen moed noch kracht wisten over te 
stellen, verzamelt hij in haast een twaalftal zijuer vriendeu, wapent 
hunne beste slaven en de zijnen, voorziet zich met een oubeduidenden 
voorraad van krijgsbehoeften en levensmiddelen voor tien of twaalf 



32 

At last, the authorities saw that it was advisable and impera- 
tive again to make a treaty of peace with the relentless Ma- 
roons, or fugitive negroes, (gevluchte Negers) whose ravages 
for over half a century spread ruin and terror throughout the 
land. Accordingly, on the 23d of May, 1761, peace was es- 
tablished, to last for a good many years, apparently. 65 It was 
not long, however, before hostilities were resumed. In 1772 
the State Council found it imperative to call in the aid of the 
mother country against the Maroons, who grew more audacious 
in proportion as they advanced in culture and education. 66 
The State General, roused to action by the serious state of 
affairs in the colony, sent a company of 500 men, under com- 
mand of Captain Forgeoud, who had previously shown much 
courage and ingenuity in suppressing a revolt of negroes in the 
Barbary States. Two years later, a series of military posts 
was established, beginning from the Savannah of the Jews to 
the banks of the Comma wine River and from there to the sea. 
Forts, strengthened by means of palisades were constructed 
from plantation to plantation, and when finally peace was 
enforced, the colony was spared from any further molesta- 
tion at the hands of the unruly negroes. 67 Koenen, though very 

dagen en vervolgt alzoo den op de vlucht gedreven' vijand. Doch hij 
stutte op een veel grooter aantal dan hij berekend had. Eenen tijd 
lang hielden de blanken zich nog stande. Nam) leide groote dapper- 
heid aan een dag, en ofschoon hij een geweersehot in het rechter- 
been bekomen had, deed hij nog groote raoeite om zijne lieden te 
hereenigen en nun zinkenden moed weder aan te wakkeren. Doch 
te vergeefs. Hij werd levend door de Negers gevat, en wreedaardig 
vermoord. Wellicht zouden zij hem nog het leven gespaard hebben, 
ten einde de voldoening te smaken van zich door een' blanke te laten 
dienen; maar de wraakzucht, die al te hevig in nun woesteu boezem 
blaakte, liet hun zelfs deze wreede barrnbartigkeid niet toe. Zij 
verloren echter bij deze gelegenheid een tweetal hunner opperhoof- 
den, en nog wel twintig gemeenen." See also Kayserling, in Monats- 
schrift, I. c, pp. 209, 210. 

65 Cf. Koenen, I. c, p. 300-301: " Den 23 sten Mei, 1761, werd er 
een vrede met hen gesloten, die thans een einde maakte aan de 
gewapende tochten," etc., etc. 

66 See JSssai Historique sur la Colonie de Surinam, etc., Vol. I, 
p. 130. 

67 Cf. Essai Historique, etc., Vol. I, p. 135; Koenen, I, c, p. 301- 
302. 



33 

fair and just to the Jews in his History, sees fit to reproach them 
for their unkind treatment of slaves, 68 which, he opines, 
was the chief cause of the rebellion, lasting over seventy years. 
We are inclined to think that this rebuke is unwarranted, inas- 
much as the rigid Mosaic and Rabbinic laws regarding them, were 
always strictly followed by the Jews and those in Surinam, 
who had men like the family of Nassy at their head, could not 
have trespassed these ordinances. He admitted, however, 
in his summary, that the colony in her defense was always 
deeply indebted to the Jewish militia, and in social and com- 
mercial matters especially beholden to them, for the Jews were 
the cultivators of the marshy and often dangerous soil and the 
masters of commerce, the chief factors of the welfare and pros- 
perity of the settlement, 69 since its foundation. Not desiring 
to anticipate our conclusions in a larger work, we content our- 
selves with saying that nowhere else in the history of America 
is such devotion, disinterestedness and loyalty on the part of 
Jewish citizens so marked, and let us add, so gratefully 
recognized as in the little Dutch Province of Surinam. And 
nowhere else in the New World did the Israelites thrive more 
in culture, learning and religion than in the Jewish Savannah 
of Guiana, as their community was called. Small wonder, 
then, in view of their attachment to their Hollandish masters, 
when we hear that in 1785, on the occasion of the reconsecra- 
tion of their synagogue, then 100 years old, the Governor 
Wichers, with all the provincial magistrates and other eminent 
citizens, attended in a body the impressive ceremonies, which 

68 See Koenen, I. c, p. 300: " . . . De afkeer des verdrukten 
Negers was veel grooter voor den Israelitischen meester dan voor den 
Christenplanter; en de Jood was harder tegen den armen slaaf, dan 
zijn landgenoot van verschillend geloof." etc. 

69 Cf. Koenen, ibid., 1. c, p. 300-301: " .... Haasten wij 
ons intusschen, tegenover deze treurige bedenkingen de aangenanier 
opmerking te maken, dat de volkplanting wegens hare verdediging 
niet minder verplichtingen aan hare Joodsche bevolking in die dagen 
gehad heeft, dan vroeger wegens de oorbaarmaking harer woeste 
gronden, of als het moederland door de herlevendiging van deszelfs 
handel; en dat dus de Jood in de kolonien door het beoefenen van den 
landbouw en het waarnemen der landsbeveiliging, die verdiensten 
verworven heeft, die hem in het Gemeenebest zelve nog schenen te 
ontbreken." 

3 



34 

are graphically narrated in a little volume published by an eye 
witness.' And that two Christian philo-Semites wrote beautiful 
verses in Dutch in honor of these festivities, republished by the 
writer, elsewhere. 71 Nor does it now seem strange that the Jews 
loved to glorify their governors, J. G. Wichers, 72 Sir Chas. Green, 73 
and Abraham De Veer, 74 in pretty songs and hymns, written in 
Hollandish and Hebrew. These were but poetic tokens of their 
patriotism. As late as 1853, the records inform us of their 
prosperity and constantly growing activity and interest in the 
colony. In that year we find them in the courts (Ellis, Juda, 
Fernandes, and others); among thirteen advocates, notaries, 
and procurators, there were seven Jews (Heilbronn, Colaco, 
Behnonte, de Granada, Abendafion, etc.); many served in the 
army as captains, lieutenants, colonels, majors, and chaplains. 

•™ Beschrijving van de plechtigheden,nevens de lofdichten en gebe- 
den uitgesproken op het eerste Jubelfeest van de Synagogue der Por- 
tugeesche Joodsche gemeente, op de Savane in de Colonie Suriname, 
genaamd Zegen En Vrede. [Berakha Ve-Shalorri] op den 12 den 
van Wijnmaand 1785. (Amsterdam, Hendrik Willem en Cornelia 
Dronsberg, 1786). The volume is described at length in my paper on 
Early Jewish Literature in America, P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, pp. 126- 
129, where the Hebrew title is also given. 

71 See the writer's Literary Gleanings on American Jewish His- 
tory, No. II, in the Menorah Monthly for September, 1895 (Vol. XIX), 
pp. 149-152. 

72 See S. J. Rudelsorn's Lofzang op den bleyde dag der inhuldiging 

van J. G. Wichers, gouverneur-generaal ovtr de colonie v. 

Suriname, 2 Juni, 1785. The Ms. of this interesting pamphlet will 
soon be printed, with other works of Surinam Jews, in the 
French Jewish periodical, Revue des Etudes Juives, published in 
Paris. See also P. A. J. LT. S., No. 3, p. 127. 

73 Plechtigheden, vreugde gezangen en gebeeden in de Hoogd. Jood- 
sche Synagogue Neve Salom, te Suriname, op d. dag d. dinhuldig. van 
Sir Charles Green, Gouverneur-Generaal over Suriname, opgesteld en 
gezongen d. J. M. De Vries, Voorzanger. (Paramaribo, 1804.) See 
also P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, p. 130. 

74 See Plechtige Vreugde Gezangen, en Gebeden, Verricht in de 

Hoogduitsche Israelitische Sinagogue Neve Salom te 

SUriname, ter gelegenheid, en op den blydendag der Inhuldiging 
van Zynen Hoog Edelen Gestrengen, Ueer Abraham De Veer, Gou- 
verneur-Generaal der gemelde kolonie, — Gezongen door den Erwaar- 
den Heer Tobias Tall. The Hebrew title and other particulars are 
given in the writer's paper, P. A. J. H. S., No. 3, pp. 130-131. 



35 

In fact they minister to the public weal in every conceivable 
capacity. 75 In their hands the colony still prospers. Recent 
reports, made by a correspondent of the Jewish Chronicle in 
London, are aglow with enthusiasm for the prosperity of their 
now thrifty and intelligent colony, and reassure us of the vigor 
and tenacity of our faith in that distant land. 



VI. 

Extracts from a Letter of David Ebron (dated 1597) to 

King Philip II, Giving an Account of his Discoveries 

and Services to the State, in South America. 

Among the numerous letters, documents and registers of the 
Albaic archives, 76 which bear special reference to the dis- 
covery and colonization of America, is particularly noticeable 
the culture-historic, perhaps valuable memorial address of 
David Ebron from Constantine, Algeria (dated December 9th, 
!597)) to the Emperor, Philip II. The writer introduces him- 
self in the preliminary note as an Israelite, who, at a tender 
age, fled to Africa, and rendered important services to the King 
of India and other personages of rank in various sections of 
Africa. 

He enumerates many items of surprising significance, 
apparently anxious to array them as an overwhelming evidence 
if his abilities and reliability, and eager to impress upon the 
august reader the great amount of gratitude due him for his 
achievements. He prepared accurate sketches of distant 

75 Cf. Dr. Kayserling, Monatssehrift, I. c, p. 213. 

76 For completeness' sake we reproduce this chapter from a 
recent sketch in the Menorah Monthly (Vol. XIX), for September, 1895, 
pp. 145-148, entitled: A 16th Century document written by David Ebron, 
a Jewish financier in America. This newly discovered letter is perhaps 
the most important evidence yet furnished of the services rendered by 
the Jews in the discovery and financial improvement of America, and 
deserves to be incorporated in this work. The book containing a 
copy of this document was lately published in Madrid (1891), under 
the title: Documentos Escogidos del Archivo de la Casa di Alba. See 
for other particulars the above quoted article in Menorah, note. We 
intend publishing Ebron's letter soon in the orginal. 



36 

regions and established settlements, dependent upon his 
generous bounty; he discovered countries and conquered them, 
and whatsoever had been attempted in Santa Marta, South 
America, within the last five years, may be safely attributed 
to his energetic activity and perseverance. Thence he repaired 
by land to Peru, and enlisted in the service of the monarch in 
Huancabelica. The last remarkable harvest in quicksilver, 
which was so advantageous to the king, was chiefly due to his 
judicious management. By careful husbanding of material 
and laudable zeal he was instrumental in not only saving sixty 
and some odd thousand pesos (!) involved in the annual trans- 
portation of small fleets from Lima and Panama but equally as 
much by causing galleys to be constructed there. 

Through the personal malice and mean manceuvers of two 
officials, the well-merited reward for the last mentioned benefits 
was withheld from him. " But, " affirms the abused victim of 
ingratitude with a dignified emphasis, which seemed to restore 
his confidence, ' ' my accomplishments in this regard may easily 
be ascertained by application to Gutierrez Florez, the Indian 
minister of commerce in Seville." 

" I do not bring these facts to your notice, ' ' continues the 
self -vindicator in haughty terms, "in order to obtain reward 
from your Majesty, but that your serene highness might per- 
ceive how zealously and indefatigably, I, a secret Hebrew^ 
travelled everywhere, despite harassing circumstances, obstacles 
end even imminent perils, and have forsaken your realm out of 
pure fear to die outside of my faith, which, according to my 
conception is the only true creed appointed by the Almighty, 
the Creator of heaven, sun, moon, sea and all things therein, 
you, gracious Sire included. I do not revive these recollec- 
tions in order to deplore my ill-fortune or petition for the proper 
remuneration and recognition denied me for the various favors 
rendered, for such great and weighty benefits I am yet in a 
position to offer from here, without necessitating my residence 
there; only out of simple attachment to your royal highness, 

77 On the Marranos in Hispaniola and South America, Dr. Kay- 
serling has published some interesting data in the P. A. J. H. S., No. 

2; see also his Christopher Columbus and the Participation of the 
Jews in the Discovery of America (New York, 1894). 



37 

whom I desire to serve and in order that the memory of this 
Israelite and his faithful acts be not wholly eradicated from 
your heart, I am quite satisfied to continue the diligent execu- 
tion of projects confided to my trust. O, would it please the 
Heavenly Father, that the Jews in your dominion could enjoy 
the same liberties and privileges accorded to them by the 
exemplary toleration of the Pope in Rome, Venice Milan, 
Naples, in the whole of Apulia, Ragusa, Florence, Pisa, 
Ferrara, Mantova and Italy and here in Constantine and the 
Barbary States. 

Would that they were permitted to migrate from one portion 
of your realm to the other and live under the same circum- 
stances as elsewhere. Then I would not resign from the office 
I so loyally occupied, and your countries would considerably 
increase in commercial opulence — it is inconceivable why your 
Grace should not participate in the profits reaped by others — 
then your armies, military exploits and campaigns against 
Lutherans, heretics and other enemies would be much more 
successful than they have been heretofore. 

' ' And as regards the Spanish Inquisition against the Jews, ' ' 73 
further declares this remarkable champion of the Mosaic faith, 
" I have absolutely no objection to urge, if it is directed against 
such as voluntarily embrace Christianity and secretly profess 
the ancient religion." He calls the King's attention to the 
fact that within two months he could at command transport 
200,000 pesos cash money into the state treasury without injur- 
ing anyone; in a similar manner he is able in one single day, 
whenever the King willed it, to obtain more than one million 
pieces of gold from Santa Fe in the new kingdom of Granada. 
Other treasures are spoken of as accessible to the all-conquer- 
ing genius of David Ebron y and obtainable by him for the 
King, whom he is intent on reconciling to his Jewish subjects. 

78 The writer of these pages, in another paper, treats of the suffer- 
ings of the Marranos or New Christians in Mexico, Peru and Brazil 
from 1570 to 1750. See his article on "The Jewish Martyrs of the In- 
quisition in South America," in P. A. J. H. S., No. 4, (1895). Dr. 
Cyrus Adler furnishes in the same Publications, No. 4, a valuable 
sketch on the "Trial of Jorge de Almeida by the Inquisition in 
Mexico," 1590-1609, which sets forth the social condition of the secret 
Jews in that country at the end of the sixteenth century. 



38 

,His eloquence reaches the fever heat of indignation, however, 
when he alludes to the thievish officials in the King's employ. 
" What a pity, your Majesty, that so much money is stolen in 
India and Spain. I could aggravate myself to death when 
I contemplate upon the mass of wealth wrongfully acquired by 
your representatives and ministers. Were I to enumerate all 
the outrageous robberies committed against you, O mighty 
Sovereign, in Seville, and apprise you of the doings of that 
infamous horde there stationed, and admitted into your court! 
O lips, if only you would divulge the secrets which 
oppress the heart! O tongue! why not reveal what you know 
and feel?" In concluding his remarks, he places himself at the 
disposal of the government as confidential agent in the affairs 
of Portugal, the marriage of the Oranian, and similar matters, 
and enjoins upon the King to communicate with him under the 
seal of strictest privacy, should he require his co-operation or 
assistance at any future time. " The God of Abraham, Isaac 
and Jacob," says he, "who created the universe, protect and 
exalt your Majesty and inspire you to deal leniently and 
indulgently with your Hebrews, whom God never totally 
ignores or forgets, but inflicts with penalties and disasters only 
to try their fortitude and allegiance!" 

This quite forgotten explorer and financier, whose eloquent 
plea in behalf of his race can not fail to appeal to every one, 
and whose only demand for the enormous service rendered to 
his king is more tolerance toward his people, deserves an 
honorable place in the annals of American Jewish History as a 
loyal, patriotic subject. 



VII. 

Enterprise and Influence of the Gradis Family in the 
West Indies, and During the Canadian Wars. 

This is not to be a series of biographical sketches on the 
Rothschilds of the Eighteenth Century, for neither the space 
nor the scope of this work would permit of such an elaborate 
history. This chapter aims merely to set forth the political 



39 

prominence attained by the family of Gradis, 79 to whose hands the 
fortunes of two continents were entrusted, and whose labors of 
love and patriotic services during the war-times of France in 
America, deserve to be chronicled in our annals. Reserving 
the elaboration of the family's antecedents, and other interest- 
ing particulars for another large paper on the History of the 
Jews in Mai r tinique — the seat of their chief activity — we shall 
here detail those facts which concern our topic the most. 

We may begin with David Gradis, who, in 1731, was natu- 
ralized in Bordeaux, 80 and who died in 1751. Already in 1696 
he founded the great mercantile house which had commercial 
connections with England, Holland, Paris, southern France 
and the West Indies. The exports were linen, wine and alco- 
hol. In the year 17 15, David Gradis tided over the financial 
crisis under Louis XIV. , after paying a draft of 150,000 francs, 
which his house endorsed. In fact the hard times did not 
affect him much, for we know that only two years after he con- 
ducted all the transatlantic commerce. He fitted out three 
ships, one bound for Cayenne and two for the Island of Martin- 
ique (or Martinicd). His cargo consisted of wine, alcohol, meal 
and pickled meat, which he exchanged for sugar and indigo in 
the West Indian ports. Another money-crisis in 17 19, passed 
without materially injuring his prospects, although he lost 
heavily. In spite of it, however, he again undertook foreign 
expeditions and was, as before, successful. In 1724, his busi- 
ness expanded to such an extent that he opened a branch on 
the island of St. Domingo. His name and fame grew in pop- 

79 The sources whence the materials contained in this chapter are 
taken, being for the most part accessible, and, as in a forthcoming 
essay on the Jews of Martinique, all the references will be incorpo- 
rated in full, the writer merely quotes the following authorities: 
Notice sur la famille Gradis et sur la maison Gradis it fits de 
Bordeaux, par Henri Gradis (1875), apud Graetz, "Die Familie 
Gradis," in his Monatsschrift, etc., Vol. XXIV (1875), pp. 447^159; 
XXV (1876), pp. 78-85; his Geschichte der Juden, Vol. XI (Leipzig, 
1870), pp. 190, 200, 202, 223; see also Ad. Thierry: Dissertation sur cette 
quest, est-il des moyens de rendre les juifs plus heureux et plus utile 
en Fianee — (ouvrage couronne) Paris, 1788; and several books on the 
history of the Jews in Bordeaux. In our narrative of the career of 
the Gradis family we follow Prof. Graetz, in his Monatsschrift, I. c. 

80 Cf. also Dr. Graetz, in Monatsschrift, Vol. XXIV, p. 557. 



40 

ularity and opulence, and French America was glad to acknow- 
ledge the enterprise of this energetic Tnan who passed under 
the name of the Porhiguese Merchant. And, although Jews 
were not tolerated in the French colonies, by the stern and 
scheming Jesuits, as we shall have ample occasion to show 
elsewhere, the government was constrained to overlook his origin 
and belief, in view of his vast influence and commercial import- 
ance. So universal was the esteem felt for the house of David 
Gradis that when his son Samuel, who conducted the interests 
of the business in St. Pierre, Martinique, died there in 1732, 
his remains were interred in the garden of the freres de la 
Charite, and masses were held in the cloisters for the repose of 
his soul. True, the monks dared not erect a monument to 
mark the spot. The lieutenant of the colony urged in argu- 
ment of their expulsion the fact that were any of the members 
of the house of Gradis, there established, to die, their property 
would have to be confiscated, for Jews were not permitted to 
have possessions. Nevertheless he shut his eyes on their pro- 
longed residence on the island. Abraham, eldest son of David 
Gradis, succeeded his father as senior member of the firm, of 
which he was previously a partner. He achieved even more 
fame than his predecessor. Endowed with wonderful ability 
and speculative genius, he also controlled the trade of France 
with the West Indies. He received important official contracts 
from the government; became intimate with personages of the 
highest political rank; obtained the protection and friendship of 
M. Maurepas, the confidant of L,ouis XVI., and added much 
to the glory and renown of the house of ' ' David Gradis, et 
fits. ' ' His extensive correspondence with the greatest men of 
the reign of Louis XV. and XVI., is still extant. 

Through the friends who were influential in his behalf at 
court, his ships were fitted out at the cost of the government, 
and this gave him further opportunity to enlarge his business 
connections. Nor was he ungrateful for these privileges and 
for the consideration shown him by his royal patron. Thus 
we hear of remarkable exploits undertaken in behalf of his 
country. In the wars between England and France for the 
possession of Canada, he displayed extraordinary activity. In 
order to expedite matters, he fitted out ships to Canada, 



41 

although the insurance on the cargo, because of the war then 
pending, was most exorbitant. If his freight vessels were 
captured by the armed cruisers of the enemy, he built and 
replenished new ones, without caring for losses thus incurred 
for France. In 1748, he organized the society of Canada, under 
the auspices of the government, in order to test the possibilities 
of the land, and thereby again widened the sphere of his 
mercantile activity. Important missions were entrusted to him. 
His ships carried valuable cargo (presumably military ammuni- 
tion, etc.), always at the expense of the firm. He even erected 
magazines in Quebec. Later on the goverment defrayed these 
costs, but David Gradis et fils had no little share in the success 
of these projects. 

After his father's death in 175 1, Abraham Gradis' financial 
interests were still more extended. To give an idea of the 
scope of his commercial activity we will cast a momentary 
glance into the private accounts of the firm. In 1758, the com- 
merce of the house with the French colonies alone, amounted 
to 2,369,326 francs. In the following year, the firm received 
the commission to forward 4500 tons of goods and ammunition 
for the French troops in Canada. Twelve ships, among them 
eight of his own were called into service for the purpose. From 
: 759 to 1763, when Canada ceased to be a French possession, the 
export trade of the firm of Gradis was worth nine million francs. 
These merchant vessels, on account of the war, had to be 
manned by a goodly company of soldiers, who had frequent 
occasion to defend themselves from attacks on the sea, and 
saved quite often the honor of their flag by their fearlessness 
and bravery. 

During the struggle between England and France for the 
occupation of Canada, the house of Gradis dispatched thither 
many heavily laden ships at the order and expense of the 
French Government, which was their debtor to the amount of 
several millions on more than one occasion. Of course these 
obligations could not be liquidated for some time. Gradis & 
Co.'s drafts were not promptly paid, for France was impover- 
ished by the American wars and had no means at her disposal. 
Although these noble financiers suffered heavy losses from the 
capture and detention of richly cargoed vessels sent out in the 



42 

name of France, they did not lose faith and preserved their 
balance with a skill and energy which is remarkable. Far from 
fearing to sacrifice too much for the fatherland, they strove 
more and more to merit the good will and esteem of the king 
and the aristocracy. It was indeed a work of charity and 
patriotism on their part to ransom French captives. 81 Abraham 
Gradis, we are told, authorized an influential business friend in 
Ivondon, to supply the captains and commanders held as 
prisoners in England with everything necessary to ease and 
comfort their condition. 82 

He more than once was compelled to appeal to the govern- 
ment for the necessary funds due him, in order to carry on his 
trade with the colonies, which was increasing in dimensions 
every year. The road to the audience-chamber of the King 
was not always clear to even so influential a personage as Abra- 
ham Gradis. On one occasion, being hard pressed for money 
to fill a large order received from the West Indies, he presented 
his claim to Minister Berryer — well known for his harsh and 
imperious demeanor. The latter, hesitating to comply, Gradis 
assured him that unless his demands were soon satisfied he would 
be prevented from accomplishing his duties. Whereupon the 
stern minister cuttingly replied: ' ' That will not be such a great 
misfortune ; you merchants are accustomed to such things ; in fact 
you become rich through them I ' ' Abraham Gradis straightened 
himself up at this insult, and looking steadily at the great man, 
said: "The name of Gradis, better known in four quarters of 
the globe than that of the Minister of France, is free from dis- 
honor. No taint of any kind covers its escutcheon ! ' ' With 

81 This important fact is thus recorded by Prof. Graetz: (Ge- 
sehichte der Juden, vol. XI, p. 190) " Gradis aus einer reichen uud 
angesehenen Familie in Bordeaux, die grosse Bank- und ueber- 
seeische Geschaefte fuer die franzoesischen Colonien betrieb, eigene 
Schiffe ausruestete und dem franzoesischen Staate in den entfernten 
Besitzungen durch Ausloesung franzoesischer Gefangener aus den 
Haenden der Englaender Dienste geleistet hatte." See also the fol- 
lowing note, which is still more explicit. 

82 Cf. Graetz, in Monatsschrift, vol. XXIV., p. 452: " . . Abra- 
ham Gradis gab einem Geschaeftsfreundc in London den Auftrag, 
den gefangenen franzoesischen Capitaenen und Commandanten auf 
seine JReehnung Alles zu verabreichen, was sie noethig haben sollten, 
urn ihre Lage zu erleichtern." 



43 

this he urged the minister with even greater persistence to ren- 
der him satisfaction by appealing to the King in his behalf. 
Berry er, unused to such show of courage and firmness, could 
not but comply with his request, and Gradis' claims were duly 
honored. 

It was no conceit that prompted his reply to the haughty 
representative of King Louis XV. His sovereign gave fre- 
quent sign of his favor and gratitude for the diplomatic skill 
and rare tact as well as noble devotion with which Gradis 
managed the business affairs of the empire in these revolution- 
ary days. The minister once wrote in the following strain to 
Gradis & Co. : "I considered it my duty to remind his Majesty 
that your conduct was both unselfish and zealous for the wel- 
fare and services of the state on all occasions and under all cir- 
cumstances. His Majesty commissions me to express to you 
his utmost satisfaction and recognition." 

As a reward for his untiring interest in behalf of the French 
nation, exceptional privileges were granted to him (Abraham 
Gradis), and his family in the colonies. The right of owning 
real estate and civil equality in common with the other citizens 
of France on the Island of Martinique, were accorded to him 
in 1779. It is interesting to note that he was associated with 
the Superior of the Jesuit Missionaries in Martinique — the 
famous pater Lavalette, who had charge of the largest and most 
influential congregation there, and who conducted an immense 
business with foreign countries: Gradis once advanced him 
400,000 francs. He often received him in his own home socially, 
and was charmed by the personal merits of the enterprising 
Jesuit. This did not prevent Gradis— a shrewd and careful 
merchant who knew just how much to risk — from severing all 
connections with him, for he rather early suspected the utter 
collapse of Lavalette 's colossal undertakings, and thus avoided 
the bankruptcy which would inevitably have resulted, had he, 
like other careless firms, allowed himself to be drawn into the 
vortex of speculation. Similar causes of self-preservation 
prompted him to withdraw from further commercial relations 
with the State, as another financial crisis warned him of the 
outbreak of the Revolution. 

Much more of interest might be told of Abraham Gradis and 



44 

other members of the same stock. Thus for instance of his 
acts of kindness during the famine in the French Colonies, at 
which time he sent seventeen ships laden with nourishment 
and merchandise for the relief of the suffering— a fact used by 
the Abbe Gregoire as a plea and an argument in favor of the 
emancipation of the Jews. 

A rebellion in St. Domingo and in Martinique where the 
Gradis family (among them David II, Benjamin, Moses 
Gradis, etc.), owned extensive territory, together with the 
losses in the mother country during the French Revolution, 
caused the downfall of this princely house. Their possessions 
in St. Domingo, valued at three million francs, were utterly 
ruined. The slaves in their employ were (unknown to them) 
misused by their representative, hence the " habitation," as 
his property was called, began to yield but sad results. The 
younger brother, Moses, saved at least a meagre portion of the 
vast wealth once commanded by the house of Gradis, by visit- 
ing the island and caring for the negroes, who, in gratitude 
for his kind treatment of them — eulogized by the abolitionist 
Schoelcher — strove to make good their former losses. The 
family of Gradis is immortalized in the history of the com- 
merce of two continents. ' ' Their works are their monuments. ' ' 



VIII. 

The Civil and Military Status of the Jews in Jamaica. 

In the West Indies, the Jews, though debarred from public 
office until late, contributed much to the public good. Their 
constancy and restless activity in behalf of the Government 
under which they served are chronicled by many historians. It 
were useless to give an elaborate account of their influence for 
good in the islands. It would lead us much too far to recount 
them, and in fact many things have been recorded of this 
nature by the present writer elsewhere. 83 If we mention the 
case of Daniel Cordoso, who was killed while defending Cura- 

83 Cf. G. A. Kohut's article on Jews in St. Thomas, Jamaica and 
Barbados, in the P. A. J. H. S., No. 4. 



45 



£ao, from an attack of the English in 1805, 84 it is because his is 
the only one referred to by name in the history of that island. 
No doubt other researches will be made by the active members 
of the American Jewish Historical Society, in this direction, which 
will silence all calumny against our patriotism. As a fitting 
epilogue to these pages, we subjoin a "List of Jews appointed 
to civil and military offices in Jamaica, since the act of 1831," 
extracted from the official gazettes of the island, and presented 
by Sir F. H. Goldsmid, in his. Arguments advanced against the 
enfranchisement of the fews, cofisidered in a series of letters, 
Second Edition, London 1833, pp. 39-40 (First Ed., London, 
183 1), arranged in the following chronological order: 



1831. 
October 15 th 

October 24th 

October 27th 

November 2nd 

December 13th 

December 31st 

1832. 
January 19th 

March 8th 



Myer Benjamin, Gent., to be a Quarter- 
master. 

Moses Gomes Silva, Esq. , to be a Provost 
Marshal-General. 85 

Alexander Bravo, Esq., to be a Magistrate 
and Assistant Judge of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas for the Parish of Clarendon. 

Philip Lucas, Esq., to be a Magistrate and 
Assistant Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas for the Parish of Kingston. 

Aaron Gomes Dacosta, Gent., to be an 
Ensign. 

Daniel Jacobs, Gent., to be an Ensign. 

Alexander Joseph Lindo, Gent., to be a 
Quartermaster. 

Jacob De Pass, Esq., to be a Magistrate and 
Assistant Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas for the Parish Port Royal. 

84 See Koenen's Geschiedenis, etc., p. 307-8: " Toen 

in 1805 de Engelschen een vruchteloozen aanval op dit eiland deden, 
de Joden, aldaar woonaehtig, hun plicht ter verdediging van hetzelve 
moedig betracht hebben, zoodat een van hen, zijnde Daniel Cardoso, 
geboortig van Amsterdam, bij die gelegenheid gesneuveld is." Cf. 
also Van Hamelsveld, Geschiedenis der Joden, p. 363. 
85 This is analogous to the English office of Sheriff. 



46 



1832. 

March 9th 
April 27th 



Samuel Deusser, Gent., to be an Ensign. 

Isaac Gomes Dacosta, Gent., to be a 
Quartermaster. 

George Isaacs, Gent., to be a Quarter- 
master. 

Barnet Isaacs, Gent. , to be an Ensign. 

David Lopez, Gent., to be a Lieutenant of 
Artillery. 

Abraham Isaacs, Esq., to be a Magistrate 
and Assistant Judge of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas for the Parish of St. Ann. 

Moses Q. Henriques, Gent., to be an 
Ensign. 86 

It is evident from this brief and insufficient summary of our 
subject, that the Jews on American soil, north and south, east 
and west, were loyal, law-abiding citizens, noble philanthropists 
and exemplary patriots. 

86 This list was already published by the writer in an article on 
The Civil and Military Status of American Jews, in Menorah 
Monthly, Vol. XVIII, No. 4, pp. 256-7. 



May 1 st 

May 5th 
July 6th 

July 26th 



August 4th 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



016 101 159 9 



